Ace in the Hole

Kirk Douglas puts in an electrifying performance as a former down on his luck, hard-nosed, top hack, now resorting to working for a hick-town newspaper in the middle of nowhere in America to make ends meet. But Douglas suddenly hits gold in his bid to get back to the big time in New York when he stops off to get gas on the way to his original assignment and stumbles across an incident involving a man trapped down a sacred Indian tomb. With savage determination to exploit the story solely for his own gain, Douglas milks the story dry to his old newspaper boss paying him top dollar, knowing the trapped man will probably die as a result. Douglas fills the screen in this mesmerizing tale of naked, human ambition, trampling on anyone and everything that gets in his way.

Disturbing look at what humanity will turn to if they get a little attention. Kirk Douglas is fantastic as a reporter doing anything to make it the top even if it means making up the story.

I found it melodramatic and unconvincing,

Billy Wilder, one of America's top five directors teaming up with Kirk Douglas at his peak. A cynical but truthful look at the tabloid news media industry. One of the very few 5/5 films.

Kirk as always makes it a movie worth watching.

With flaws that outweigh his talent, reporter Chuck Tatum (Kirk Douglas) has bounced across the country from job to job. Winding up in New Mexico, Tatum gets work from the local newspaper, but finds that there's not much in the way of pressing news. However, when Tatum catches wind of a treasure hunter (Richard Benedict) trapped in a mineshaft, he turns the story into a media sensation There is something so special about Billy Wilder's films, the way that he manages to capture you in the movie from the first second of the movie, is always so special and something I can't get enough of. The screenplay written by Billy Wilder and his team is so great, there is always tension and the characters feel like they are always developing in every scene. Technically the movie looks gorgeous in black and white again, especially with the wide shots of the whole area and sets, because that set was enormous. The shots in the mountain were incredible as well and felt very challenging and psychically to shoot, the way that Billy Wilder shot it. Kirk Douglas was of course the highlight of the movie, with a performance that I will not forget soon. The rest of the cast is great as well, however they definitely don't reach the same heights that Kirk Douglas reaches. The story is gripping from the first moment and ends with an iconic shot and one that will leave you thinking about the whole movie a second time. Ace In the Hole is not my favorite work by Billy Wilder, but certainly one that is worthy in his filmography!

First watched in 2022, this is a classic satire still enjoyable and controversial. Kirk Douglas is excellent here in a badass tough guy.

The greatest 01 hour: and 52 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not a great film. It had nice footage of the New Mexico desert and great photography in general. But the plot was a little thin. They get points for not copping out with a typical Hollywood ending, though. It does make me want to watch Sunset Strip. I think I've seen it before, But I don't remember it. I suppose there's a reason that one is well known and this one isn't.

As precient today as ever. An absolute classic with excellent performances, superb writing and very very little wrong with it. One of Billy Wilder's best films.